Resurrected: Hercule Poirot Returns to the Spotlight, Defying Death in Death on the Nile

Tom Bateman is hopeful to return to the Hercule Poirot franchise after his character's demise in the second movie. In the Kenneth Branagh adaptations of Agatha Christie's Nile and Murder on the Orient Express, Bateman played Bouc, a close friend of the famous detective. Bouc invites Poirot to a wedding where he is tasked with protecting the heiress from a potential threat. In the sequel, Bouc is tragically shot and killed to prevent him from revealing the main murder. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Bateman discussed his potential future in the franchise and expressed his openness to returning if Branagh develops a compelling storyline.

Well, I'm pretty tired by the end of the second film. [Laughs] Anything is possible in the world of movies. And of course, Ken's storyline involves time travel in these movies. All I can say is that I have a deep love for this character and if Ken and the team at Disney ever come up with a new story involving Bouc, I would enthusiastically seize that opportunity. The experience of portraying this character and being a part of the two films has been incredible, so I would definitely be open to doing more.

How Bouc Can Return In A Future Poirot Sequel

While his fate may have been sealed in Death on the Nile, there remains ample opportunity for Bouc to make a comeback in future installments of the Hercule Poirot franchise. As Bateman points out, Branagh's adaptations of Christie's works have employed various time jumps, often used to unveil the intricacies of the mysteries that unfolded off-screen or to shine a spotlight on particular characters. Considering that there was a three-year gap between Nile and Murder on the Orient Express, it would be fascinating to witness a story set between these two films, where the dynamic duo tackles yet another perplexing case.

In order to give Bateman's Bouc more screen time in future installments of the franchise, an alternative option could be to explore a Poirot prequel rather than a sequel. This would delve into the early stages of the duo's friendship, taking place before the events of Murder on the Orient Express. By doing so, not only would it allow Bateman and Branagh to portray a different dynamic between the characters, but it would also provide an opportunity to adapt some of Poirot's lesser-known stories on screen. It is worth noting that Bouc only appeared in Orient Express, making his presence in Death on the Nile unexplored territory for fans of Agatha Christie's work.

Despite the apparent finality of his character's fate in Death on the Nile, there is still a possibility for Bateman's Bouc to make a special cameo in the next Hercule Poirot installment, A Haunting in Venice. The trailer released for the movie so far suggests a more horror-oriented approach to Christie's Hallowe'en Party novel, with themes of being haunted by the past. This sets up a prime opportunity for Bouc to make an appearance in the next sequel.